Idol chatter: Big changes are coming

By Bill Pinella
| 9:29 a.m.May 9, 2013

This undated image released by Fox shows judges, from left, Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj, Randy Jackson and Mariah Carey from the singing competition series, "American Idol," airing wednesdays and Thursdays on Fox. In its 12th season, "American Idol" is managing to hit the right notes with sponsors if not always with fickle viewers. It has retained its status as TV's advertising leader among series and the loyalty of its biggest backers, including Ford and Coca-Cola. (AP Photo/Fox, Michael Becker)
— AP

This undated image released by Fox shows judges, from left, Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj, Randy Jackson and Mariah Carey from the singing competition series, "American Idol," airing wednesdays and Thursdays on Fox. In its 12th season, "American Idol" is managing to hit the right notes with sponsors if not always with fickle viewers. It has retained its status as TV's advertising leader among series and the loyalty of its biggest backers, including Ford and Coca-Cola. (AP Photo/Fox, Michael Becker)
/ AP

Before we get to the blockbuster story below, via the internet, that surfaced on Wednesday, let’s see why the validity of that piece makes so much sense.

Wednesday’s show was arguably one of the two most important of American Idol’s season. Of course the finale is the Super Bowl, but this one is a close second. Why? Well, it’s “homecoming” week for the Top 3. Everyone goes back to “Podunkville”, sees a bunch of folks they hadn’t seen in a long time and probably won’t see or talk to for a long time to come, all those genteel sorts try to get on camera holding up funky signs (“We love U!”) (really?), the three contestants bawl at one point or another, usually a sob-back story is revealed (again), they sing something they’ve performed on the Idol stage out there in Hollywood and we all rally round and then hop in Idol’s private jet to head back for a little more of that 15 minutes of fame.

Then we got the obligatory trio of songs for each of the Top 3 to sing – a Jimmy Iovine special, a judges’ selection (like they really agreed on this, or Nicki even participated at all) and a producers song (who are they and who cares what song they want to hear and what about getting a song from the viewing audience for a change?).

At any rate they sing, Jimmy tries his damnedest to pick a winner (does it really matter at this point, but he did select Candice Wednesday night) and we wait and hold our Idol breath for 24 hours to hear the names of the two finalists after once again listening to Ryan utter: “Thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis is American Idol!”

That is where we stand Thursday morning. Following is part of a story outlining a very plausible account of where Idol stands, or make that wobbles, this a.m.

It isn’t a pretty picture, but it’s certainly change and change is what is needed so desperately for such a popular show before it goes the way of “The Dating Game”, in other words into oblivion.

Here, take a look at the top of the story (oh, btw, common sense says Kree goes tonight, and btw did you know she’s afraid of snakes?):

Insider: ‘American Idol’ To Axe All 4 Judges as Part of Massive Makeover (Exclusive)

By Jethro Nededog

May 09 (TheWrap.com) — “American Idol” is going nuclear for Season 13.

None of the four judges on the singing competition will be asked to return next season, an individual with knowledge of Fox’s plans told The Wrap. Longtime producer Nigel Lythgoe is expected to get the boot. And despite reports to the contrary, Fox isn’t even considering bringing former judge Jennifer Lopez back as a lifesaver for next season.

Like we said: nuclear.

“All four are gone,” the insider told TheWrap. “They feel they’ve lost their core audience and they want it back.”

A Fox spokesperson declined to comment for this story.

Driven by this belief and the need to attract younger viewers, Fox is set to make major on-air changes to “Idol,” the most notable of which will be an entirely new judging panel. New judges pop icon Mariah Carey, rapper Nicki Minaj and country star Keith Urban won’t be back. Even original judge Randy Jackson won’t survive the blood bath this time around.

All four judges have options to return for another season, but Fox won’t be picking them up, according to the knowledgeable individual, who said: “No more big checks for divas.”

The network has resolved to stop paying the huge salaries it has been shoveling out for its big name talent, i.e. Carey’s reported $18 million package, Minaj’s $12 million salary and former judge Jennifer Lopez’s $15 million.

The show’s format will also change. Its look will be redesigned and the dated tribute nights will be a thing of the past. But the show’s trademark audition episodes will continue.

Behind the scenes, Fox Broadcasting chairman Kevin Reilly is charged with “fixing Idol.” And one of the first changes will occur at the top of the food chain: Longtime executive producer Lythgoe is expected to be replaced. What that means for the show’s producers, FremantleMedia, remains to be seen.

Fox’s meltdown has everything to do with the talent competition’s declining viewership. Its ratings are already down 22 percent this season and it hit a series low for ratings last Thursday, when it attracted only 11 million viewers and a 2.4 rating/7 share in the ad-coveted 18-49 demographic. The ratings slide is especially problematic during May Sweeps, where ratings numbers are used to dictate advertising rates.